Last weekend I had a grown-up girl’s sleepover at my house. It was pure enjoyment. But, whenever I come off a high of peopley fun, my introverted self craves margin. I’ve shared before my love hate with my high need for margin in my life. And, I’ve learned that my home can be a trigger for how I feel. So one of the ways I trick myself into breathing that big sigh of “rest” is by creating some white space literally (on the calendar and in my daily to do list) and also another literally–in our home.

So as much as I loved the pink and the garland and the balloons and the fun, quieting the room helps me quiet myself and reminds me to find true Rest.

Is there a literal place in your home that needs quieting or white space?

The Nester

Myquillyn Smith, The Nester, is a home stager, redesigner and design school drop-out. Her last home (a rental) was featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Cottages & Bungalows, Ladies' Home Journal and in her upcoming design philosphy book, The Nesting Place: It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful....
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There are red walls in our family room ,yellow walls in the kitchen & blue, red & fushia walls in my kids rooms. My home is cheery and loud like the people who live in it . But At the end of each day I can’t wait to get into my bedroom whose pale blue walls are timid in comparison w/ the ones in the rest of my home. My bed w/an all white comforter & tons of different white pillows screems come and rest. My pale blue walls are accented by white linen curtains & only a few black & white photos of my children. Since my room is my place of refuge, the place where I go to regroup after a melt down & seek Gods face, I need it to be serene & tranquil. And as you can probably tell… I love my bedroom 🙂

I so appreciate that you put that truth on the table: introverts needs margin. Space. Lots of it. In our spirits. And our homes.

I’ve stopped apologizing long ago for who I am and for what I need.

I’m working hard to build this into my days. Especially when I know I’m going to be surrounded by my girls and their spouses and the 6 highly energetic, ball-of-fire, never-a-dull moment grandchildren that come along for the ride.

I get alot of the prep work done ahead of time. And then I look for those little alcoves of 1-1 time in the midst of the party … to curl up in the hammock with one or two sleepy kids and look at the birds flying quietly above. Cozy up with another and her favorite book. Sit by the doll house, arranging tiny furniture and accessories with eager little hands. Quietly chat with a daughter while getting a meal on the table.

And to say “good-night” early and crawl into a quiet bed with a relaxing book. With no apologies!

I embrace it who I am. Appreciate it. And give myself wide margins whenever I need to. And I’m finding that with the passing of time, my home is reflecting more of that need … pale blue/green/gray walls, lots of light, quiet music, candles glowing, fewer tchotchkes, things I love … and much smaller stockpiles.http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2010/07/stuff.htm

As always, dear Nester, your thoughts resonate with some place deep within me …

Nester,
Yes, indeedy, my home is a trigger for what I feel. Right now the feeling is that I am being eaten alive my an entire week’s worth of busyness. It’s amazing that some small changes can bring about big peace.

I had a grown-up girly sleepoever a few years ago. It’s still one of my favorite memories.

My husband and I are currently expecting our first child. Right now one of our guest rooms is for storage. It’s a disaster in there. I hate walking into that room and it is driving me crazy because I want to set up the nursery so bad, but I just haven’t had the time. When things are finally organized in there it’ll be a huge relief!

I think you and I could be kindred spirits! I’ve always been an introvert and it’s only gotten more so as I’ve gotten older! Sometimes I feel a bit envious of my friends who happily juggle extremely full lives but at the end of the day, I like living a calmer life. My home does not always reflect that but I’m still learning the art of organization and very slowly my home is feeling more like a calming haven.

Also, I love how you say things don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. I very much feel the same way. Beautiful, imperfect things are a reminder that God can take my imperfect self and create beauty from whatever I have to offer.

Yes! I love this analogy of needing white space in our lives…and I love that literally we need white space as well. My whole world, literally and figuratively, is littered with chaos and clutter. I am so on sensory overload most of the time with sights, sounds, smells. I crave the quiet and my mind needs a rest from it all.

Funny to read this after one night on the road for work — I slept better than I have in ages which makes me wonder what it is about being home that’s not good for me. Thanks for the thoughts! http://wp.me/p1Ut5W-bq

Our Pastor Just finished a sermon called The Rest App and how biblical it is and that we really are doing God and oursleves a disservice when we don’t quite ourselves and take a day away from technology and friends. He says if you have difficulty saying no to others make an appointment in your schedule with yourself. That way you can say “sorry I have made plans”. – So important to have down time. – Thanks for you post. My Rest Day is tomorrow! Mondays are my day off! Sometimes it is hard to turn the world off but I think this is a trust issue. God is big enough to handle everything while I rest.

In recent years I’ve found my white space, although at the time it felt like I was being deprived of all things I loved. Now I realize that it was God showing me what I truly need. As an introvert I’ve grown to love my quite, small and uncluttered home and my quiet, small uncluttered life.